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Older cubers discussions

sneaklyfox

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Happy new year everyone.

I hope your elbow is improving Mark. It's good you are finding enjoyment in your programming projects. I wonder how many of us oldies are programmers? Marcel, you and myself all write software but it's no surprise that software engineer types are attracted to the cube!

My cubing goals for 2015 are to become a more all-round solver. I want my 4x4 and 5x5 global averages to be sub-1:30 and sub-3:00 and I'd like to be globally sub-30 with Roux, ZZ and Petrus. My CFOP times are stagnant at the moment (almost zero practice) but they're not much worse than when I was focused on 3x3 only. I'd like to push my global CFOP average to sub-20. I can probably knock a second off my 2x2 averages if start predicting the OLL most of the time as well. At some time I ought to figure out my own methods for the Pyraminx and Skewb... before learning a recognised beginner method.

I've also got one or two software ideas but I'm not going to mention them since I may not get around to them!

Yes, Happy New Year! I wouldn't call myself a programmer although I was originally studying computer science at university until I switched to mechanical engineering. I'm very glad to be done with counting my 3x3 solves in 2014 so I think now I'll do more other puzzles. I have to get back to 4x4 because I want to sub-1 and I've been working on some 3BLD. Learning CLL for 2x2 is on the list somewhere too.
 

Logiqx

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@Logiqx, we have exactly the same targets for CFOP, 4x4 and 5x5 - funny how we are so close. I got my first sub-1:30 ao50 on 4x4 today, so I might have to adjust that target, but I wouldn't say I'm global sub-1:30 yet.

Refer to me as Mike if you prefer. I never thought I'd be positing when I signed up with the Logiqx nick. ;)

We seem to have very similar times and targets although we have quite different approaches to practice. I tend to do full solves when I practice but I've never done more than 25 solves during a 4x4x4 session. Playing around with Roux is also fun but I can't keep up with you on big cubes and Marcel on Roux. :)

If the ratios are to be believed, I think perhaps my 2x2x2 times are probably my stronger point although I don't do it that much. I hardly picked up a cube this week since it has been windy and I've been doing a lot of driving or windsurfing... more of the same next week I think!

I see it for 14.47 GBP on Amazon UK with free shipping. No more than I spend on any other 3x3.

I bought one from Amazon earlier this week (just to see what it was like) and it arrived yesterday. I've only done a few solves and it is much better than a normal Rubik's cube but it's a long way short of the Dayan and Moyu cubes in my collection. At some time I'll lube and tension it but for now I'll just leave it lying around the house for the occasional solve so that it can be broken in. At the moment I find the corners catch on the centre pieces (causing lock-ups) which isn't something I've ever experienced on a 3x3x3. Still nice to have one in my collection though... feels like I should own one!

Mini AoSu sounds nice. Let me know how yours feels and I may well get one for myself. An improved 5x5x5 is also appealing because good as the AoChuang is compared to my ShengShou, I still get the occasional jam through sloppy turning.
 

Logiqx

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Yes, Happy New Year! I wouldn't call myself a programmer although I was originally studying computer science at university until I switched to mechanical engineering.

Ah.. so you are still an engineering type.

Learning CLL for 2x2 is on the list somewhere too.

As a background activity, I'm starting to choose COLL and CMLL algs for Roux and OH. They might become a LL alternative for my Petrus and ZZ solves as well (i.e. OCLL + PLL or COLL + EPLL).

I'll see how I get on when I start learning them later this year and maybe look at where there is a crossover with CLL on 2x2x2.

This aspect to my cubing is a little way down my todo list at the moment... I need to get actual practice to improve my times. :)
 
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MarcelP

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@Everybody
I might buy a new cube this year, but what to choose? What is your favorite 3x3x3 cube right now?

I like the AoLong V1 for Roux and V2 for CFOP :) I think AoLong V2 is the best cube out there at the moment although a Weilong V2 comes pretty close. A real cheap cube called Formula cube at Lightake is also very nice. And if you like a stickerless cube (will be comp legal soon) you definatly should look in Qiyi Bull fight cube. Also very cheap but great.
 

mark49152

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I agree with Marcel - AoLong v2/v1 or WeiLong v2. I don't like the feel of the WeiLong v1 so much.

Formula is apparently a rebranded SuLong. Marcel, have you compared the pieces?
 

MarcelP

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I agree with Marcel - AoLong v2/v1 or WeiLong v2. I don't like the feel of the WeiLong v1 so much.

Formula is apparently a rebranded SuLong. Marcel, have you compared the pieces?

I have 4 SuLongs and NONE come even close in performance and feel. The pieces are different. If they would have said rebranded GuanLong I would believe it. But still I have only two GuanLongs and they have no rings (I forgot how you call them). GuanLong is slower than Formula.
 
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I have 4 SuLongs and NONE come even close in performance and feel. The pieces are different. If they would have said rebranded GuanLong I would believe it. But still I have only two GuanLongs and they have no rings (I forgot how you call them). GuanLong is slower than Formula.

lol, how come having 4 of them :p. did you want to start multi blind or something XD?
 

mark49152

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I have 4 SuLongs and NONE come even close in performance and feel. The pieces are different. If they would have said rebranded GuanLong I would believe it. But still I have only two GuanLongs and they have no rings (I forgot how you call them). GuanLong is slower than Formula.
Strange. See this video and the comments underneath: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Myx2DdrVEn4

Also on formulacube.com they say it's based on SuLong although it's not really clear whether "all new mechanism" is marketing spiel or means modified from the SuLong: "Formula magic cube is a new brand cube designed and produced by Yongjun Co. Ltd. Based on the advantages of Sulong, it looks like sulong but provides safer and smoother operation experience, with brand new appearance and more affordable price. Formula cube has an all new mechanism with faster movement, amazing corner cutting and zero pops. It is a Rubik's cube specially designed for contest, its quality is of contest level."

I wonder what the truth is? Do the Formula's pieces resemble any other YJ cube? Can you post photos?
 
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